Children are our most vulnerable road users and to address this road safety issue school speed zones with lower speed limits were introduced in 2003.

Motorists should be aware that children in traffic are not like adults. They can be unpredictable and because they are small, they can be hard to see. So take extra care and slow down when you drive past any school.

Research shows that slowing down helps to both avoid crashes and reduce their severity. According to the Monash University Accident Research Centre, an 11 per cent reduction in speed reduces road deaths by 40 per cent. Even a small reduction in travelling speed dramatically increases the chance of a child surviving a collision.

This section has information about:

The types of school speed limits and signs that exist

• When school speed limits apply.

Types of school speed limits
Speed limits set for school speed zones are designed to improve road safety outside schools while taking into account issues such as high traffic volumes, peak school pedestrian hours and school holidays.

There are several types of school speed limit zones, including permanent time-based and electronic variable speed limit reductions.

	Advanced Warning Signs Advanced Warning Signs tell motorists they are approaching a school zone with reduced speed limits. Drivers should be prepared to slow down during school times.
	50 km/h roads Outside schools on 50 km/h roads, there are permanent 40 km/h speed limit zones. Drivers must obey this 40 km/h speed limit at ALL times. In some special cases, such as 50 km/h roads with high traffic volumes, a time-based 40 km/h limit may be in place.
	60 and 70 km/h roads  Outside schools on 60 and 70 km/h roads, a time-based 40 km/h speed limit is used. The 40 km/h speed limit is in effect from 8.00 am to 9.30 am, and from 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm on school days.  The regular 60 or 70 km/h limit applies outside these times.
	80, 90 and 100 km/h roads Outside schools on 80, 90 and 100 km/h roads, a time-based 60 km/h speed limit applies from 8.00 am to 9.30 am, and from 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm on school days.  The regular 80, 90, or 100 km/h limit applies outside these times.
	Electronic sign – variable speed limits Roads with a speed limit of 70 km/h; higher speed roads which carry more than 500 vehicles each day; and roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h with high traffic volumes, will use electronic variable speed limit signs.  The speed limits on these signs change.  Drivers should always travel within the speed limit shown on these signs.

2012 school speed limit dates
In 2012, with the exception of weekends and public holidays, school day speed limits will apply on all days in the following periods.